Skin Care Tips for Eczema-Prone Skin

Different skin types require different skin care routines. For those with atopic dermatitis or eczema-prone skin, the routine should be gentler given the skin’s sensitivity.

Here are some skin care tips you can incorporate into your current routine which might help change things up for your skin.

Take short lukewarm showers from 10 to 15 minutes.
You shouldn’t take longer because the higher the temperature is, the harder it is for your skin to retain moisture. Hot water also strips off the natural oil produced by the body, making it dry up more easily. Lastly, lukewarm or cooler water also helps retain natural oils as well as depuff your face in the morning.
Do not scrub or over-exfoliate the affected areas using cloth, sponge, or a loofah.
Over-exfoliating damages the protective skin barrier, strips off natural oils, and disrupts the moisture balance of the skin, which causes further skin irritation. Exfoliating a few times a week is enough; never do this everyday.
Use skin care products labelled "for sensitive skin".
As much as possible, go for products like soaps, facial cleansers, lotions, and creams in mild formulations and are unscented as they are gentler on the skin. You can also look for creams that have ceramides because these fatty lipid molecules help moisturize the skin.
Try emollient therapy or moisturizing the skin.
Emollient means to soften the skin through moisturizing up to three times a day. Immediately moisturize the skin after showering while the skin is still damp. This is for better skin hydration because the moisture is sealed within three minutes of moisturizing. Pay attention to the elbows, behind the knees, and the areas that are dry, red, inflamed, or itchy. Remember that the dryer the skin, the greasier and heavier the moisturizer should be to further strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. You can also put your moisturizers in the refrigerator before using them to enhance their cooling effects on the skin once applied.

*** You can also try to use coconut oil because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Apply medication to help ease the discomfort and to soothe the skin inflammations caused by eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Mometasone furoate (Elica®) products help stop itching, reduce redness, ease swelling, and provide relief within 24 hours. Mometasone furoate (Elica®) cream is applied on thin skin (like on the face) and moist lesions while Mometasone furoate (Elica®) ointment is applied on dry lesions and thickened skin.